Southwest Trends.

Fire Power

It's Becoming Professional

Many Departments Have Replaced Volunteer Firefighters With A Full-time Paid Staff

April 17, 1994|By Martin Zabell. Special to the Tribune.

There are pluses and minuses to sticking with volunteers and POCs. Orland Park's fire department has a budget of $8 million, while Tinley Park spends only $365,000 a year (the village spent another $214,000 as its share of the private ambulance service). On the other hand, Orland Park has six stations to Tinley Park's three, with at least 18 people on duty 24 hours a day.

And professionals find fault with volunteer departments. "POCs would give their arms and legs to the community, but their training is limited," said Oak Lawn's Moran, who presides over a 102-person staff that has been professional since 1961 and now has only 20 POCs, who mainly perform fundraising. The Oak Lawn department is one of 14 nationwide to rate a perfect 1 on the ISO scale.

The transition to paid staffs often takes its toll on morale. Buhs, Moran and Frankfort POC firefighter Charles Reed all acknowledged their departments had friction between staffers and volunteers at one time. "I don't feel like they're using me like I should be used," said Orland Park POC firefighter John Jacobsma, who added that he enjoyed firefighting more before he began getting paid in 1975.

But without exception, the 15 Tinley Park firefighters interviewed said they take great pride in their service to the community.

"We're going to remain volunteers as long as we can," said Capt. Mark Bettenhausen.